Choosing a chop saw?

[texasjohn]

Soundguy is right, the HF chop saw works fine.... I've gone thru about 3 blades.... lots and lots of cutting...... the original blade and the Russian blades have all worked fine for me.

 

[Sherweld]

I've never bought anything 'reconditioned' and have always been wary of what it meant. What do you guys think?

I buy reconditioned (many items) when available. Not only is the price usually much better, but some "qualified" person has supposedly given the item his full attention to make sure that it meets "new specs" before it goes out the door, as opposed to just coming off the end of an assembly line.

Also, many times an item is returned to the point of purchase because the buyer didn't know how to operate it, changed their mind, used it for the job at hand and returned for a full refund (cheaper than renting) So ... many times there is nothing wrong to begin with, but it must be checked out and sold as reconditioned.

Maybe just luck, but I have never been disappointed with a reconditioned item, to include printers, chopsaw, angle grinders, drill motors, computers, etc. But then perhaps others have not fared so well. JMHO

 

[Foggy]

I went through the same decision a year ago and ended up getting a 4x6" horizontal bandsaw. Absolutely brilliant. Only cost a little more than a quality chopsaw, but it's quiet, little mess, and once you set the cut up you can walk away and do other stuff (within reason). I've also found I need minimal cleanup of the cuts on the bandsaw. Oh, and blades last for ages and aren't very expensive. Never done a total-cost-of-ownership, but I don't think I'd give up the bandsaw now I have one.

Cheers, Iain

 

[canoetrpr]

I ask my wife what she thinks and she throws in a monkey wrench into my cutting situation. She did a bit of stick welding about 10 years ago in university - she's an artist.

She asks why I'm not getting a torch setup to cut?? I say ummmm... I have no clue. Donno what it is going to cost - anybody?

Any idea what the advantages / disadvantages are of getting a torch setup to cut vs. a chop saw?

 

[canoetrpr]

I don't know a dang thing about a bandsaw but... I'm assuming that the largest piece of metal I can cut with a 4x6" bandsaw is .... 4"x6". Is that right?

 

[kennyd]

A torch rig will cost probably double the price of a saw, plus you will have to source tanks-either rented or purchased that's semi convenient to you. Add on top of that, the price of gas has skyrocketed in the last year (at least here in the states).

Also, IMHO, be very careful of the cheapo band saws...that can be very tricky to get working well and cutting straight. I would rather work on my project then the saw I bought for the project!

 

[Bill_C]

I started with a chop saw--a Dewalt that cost around $200 some 15 years ago. Still have it, and it has cut many pieces of steel. About a year ago I bought the Harbor Freight 4x6 bandsaw and haven't touched the chop saw since. The bandsaw is quieter and more precise--and doesn't leave burning sparks all over the place.

Setup (from box to cutting) took two or three hours but I haven't had to mess with it since, even after a blade change.

For stuff I can't fit in the bandsaw, I use a Sawzall. I have used a torch but to me it's too rough and not precise enough for my metal fabrication work--too much gap when fitting stuff together. I'd like to have a torch but probably wouldn't use it once a year, the bandsaw is far superior for my needs.

 

[kenmac]

I have a Ryobi 14'' chop saw I bought from H.F. 10 yrs or so ago. (b-4 they sold their brand). I have built several trailers among other things with it. It's still going strong. I use the cheap H.F. cut off wheels

 

[Soundguy]

I'd buy a plasma cutter before antoher set of torches. They are always out of gas when you need them.

Bandsaws are nice for some things.. chops for others.. etc.

I'm too cheap to get a bandsaw yet.. even the 150$ chinese ones.. but if they ever hit near 99$ I'll get one

soundguy

 

[srjones]

I'll add another vote for the $50 HF chop saw. I've had it for going on 3 years and gone through more than 10 of the discs. A few months ago I thought I finally killed it, but there was a buildup of metal dust on one of the brushes. After pulling the brush, cleaning it out and putting the brush it, it ran good as new.

The inherent drawback to any abrasive saw is the dust and the smoke they create. A bandsaw may be a cleaner alternative. When/if plasma torch kits drop below $200, I think I'll make the jump.